﻿Ki Tavo: Tithing in the Proper Order

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This week:
Bechukotai

Twice every seven years, the Torah enjoins us to declare that we
have properly tithed our produce:

“When you finish taking all the tithes for your produce ... you
should declare before the Lord your God: I have removed all the sacred
portions from the house. I have given to the
Levite, the stranger, the orphan and the widow, according to all the
instructions that You commanded me.” (Deut. 26:12-13)

What are these tithing instructions that God prescribed?

The Mishnah in Ma’aserSheini (7:11) explains that this refers to
tithing in the proper order. The first tenth, ma’aserrishon, is
distributed to the Levites. Only afterwards should the second
tithe, ma’asersheini, be set aside to be consumed by the owner
in Jerusalem.

Why is the order so important? What does it matter which ma’aser
is apportioned first?

The Mishnah teaches us an important lesson in how we should fulfill
our moral obligations. The Torah wants to impress upon us the
importance of executing our duties in the correct order and
appropriate time. If the hour is right, our efforts will bring
about consummate good in the world. However, when irresponsible and
rash individuals attempt to address problems before their time,
their actions often turn out detrimental, and prevent much good.

Four Levels of Responsibility

For example, our primary responsibility is for the welfare of our
family. Only afterwards come the moral obligations to the nation.
Next comes our concern for all human beings, and lastly, for all
creatures.

Only after taking care of our family should we turn towards the
needs of our nation. Fortunate is the individual whose obligations
towards his people are such that he has the opportunity to also
work for the good of all humanity.

The prophets spoke of a future era when humanity will no longer
need to help one another. Spiritually, there will be no need to
teach others, “For all will know Me, both small and large”
(Jeremiah 31:34). None will require physical assistance, since “The
lame will leap like deer and the tongue of the mute will sing” (Isaiah 35:6) and
“He will swallow up death forever” (Isaiah 25:8). Nor will
economic support be required, as “There shall be no needy among
you” (Deut. 15:4). At such a time, what will we do with our natural
inclination to help others? Who will require our aid?

At that time, we will turn to the creatures beneath us, to care for
them and enlighten them, until “the cow and the bear will graze
together” (Isaiah 11:7). Mankind will then be revealed as a
benevolent king watching over all creatures.

Moral Recklessness

Sadly, there are those so troubled by the woes of the world — war,
ignorance, oppression — that in their haste to rectify the world’s
problems, they ignore the needs of their own families and nations.
They only bring about greater sorrow, and have neglected those
closer to themselves. Likewise, some hasten to help the animals,
disregarding the distress of people in front of their eyes. These
rash individuals cause great evil in their attempts to alleviate
problems before their time.

For this reason, the Torah instructs us to declare
that we have properly fulfilled our
moral obligations — tithing our produce — in the correct order and
in the appropriate time.